Agent accessory tool cooperating with integrated application on WEB server by HTTP protocol

ABSTRACT

An agent accessory tool which enables integration of a Web-type application operating within a browser area and general application operating outside browser area is provided. The agent accessory tool includes an agent program interlocking by HTTP incorporated in a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as PC) of each of a plurality of clients, and a Web server having a CGI interface for executing communication software and an external application of the HTTP concerned to each client PC through a communication line. In this agent accessory tool interlocking with the integrated application on the Web server by the HTTP, the agent program accesses various data of a CGI program through the Web server under input conditions, and music and images to each client. When, as a result, the data are updated from previous access data or in conformity to predetermined conditions, an accessory tool including an avatar (digital actor) is caused to appear on the display of the PC of the client, and is also caused to conduct a predetermined action/reaction so as to transmit the existence of information, the non-conformity to the predetermined conditions, and music and images to each client. As a result, the agent accessory tool operates integrally with the Web application by accessing the Web server, without booting the browser software.

The Agent Accessory tool cooperating with integrated applications on WEBserver through HTTP Protocol

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention concerns improvement of a system using the Agent Programsembedded in a client's PC Personal Computer) which is connected with WEB(World Wide Web) servers through Internet or Intranet.

BACKGROUND OF ART

HTTP is the abbreviation of HyperText Transport Protocol which is atelecommunication protocol popularly used for accesses to WEB site. WWW(World Wide Web) servers are composed to be able to activate HTTPprograms, and handle data after WEB pages in the WEB servers getaccesses from each client.

HTTP is a software program which usually waits for accesses at the WEBserver, and manages communication transactions between the server andthe clients. Then if the HTTP gets accesses from client side, it enablesusers to look HyperText in WEB browser on the client's PC.

CGI (Common Gateway Interface) is a common interface to execute exteriorapplications called CGI programs executed on WEB servers.

Avatar is a “Digital Actor” or Agent appearing in web pages of networkspaces such as 3D chat-rooms or VRML (Virtual Reality ModelingLanguage), and is used as an agent of participants in such hyper spaces.

In such environment, the crawler software is popular among existing WWWbrowser software embedded in WEB browser of clients' PCs. This softwareautomatically accesses to homepages designated by clients beforehand andautomatically retrieves the data into the clients.

Another agent programs are also well known; one automatically searchesrequested WEB pages at the scheduled time and executes some specificjob; and another automatically gathers information scattering ininternet and packages them into databases.

The other system is also developed which makes both clients' agentsappear on both each client's PC through Communication Chat Server. Butthese clients' agents can not move and communicate in cyber spaces ofthe WEB server until they receive clients' orders and instructions, sothat these clients' agents are left just as ‘dumb doll’ when clientsgive them no instruction, while the clients are apart from the desk, forexample.

And also, there are many access tools for Email, but all of them useSMTP Protocol (Email Transferring Protocol) or POP server (Emailrecipient server).

Real Audio, Netshow are well known for WEB audio applications, and RealVideo is well known for WEB motion pictures. But all these software workon WEB Browser and can not function in the manner that the agent followsHTTP protocol on the desktop outside the browser and automaticallydownloads tunes or pictures from WEB server, and automatically explainsthese tunes and pictures.

However, none of above mentioned client agent systems is composed to beable to cooperate with WEB server applications, although there are manyaccessory tools alike icon on clients' PCs which co-work with desktopapplications and show music and picture or report internet situationperiodically to clients.

Though there is an accessory tool working with HTTP protocol, no clientagent system can interactively and organically work with WEB serverapplications.

Existing agent programs move both inside and outside browsers, but notwork with WEB server applications. These existing agent systems have nofunction periodically checking WEB applications, observing and reportingits situation to clients.

Existing systems to enable communication among several clients throughcommunication chat servers enable communication by letters, audio, andothers. But these systems do not interactively or cooperatively workwith WEB server applications or their data.

Considering this situation, this invention solves the defect of theseagent systems of existing technology, and purposes to provide an agentaccessory tool which enables both WEB applications executing in WEBbrowser domain and general applications running outside the WEB browserdomain to work organically, interactively and closely together.

This system also purposes to provide an agent accessory tool which canautomatically pick music or pictures from the WEB server by HTTPinstructions whether or not browser software is working.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

That is, this invention consists of an agent program working with HTTPprotocol embedded in client's PC and WEB server which includes HTTPcommunication software connected with each client's PC and CGI interfaceto execute external application. This agent program accesses to data ofCGI programs through WEB server under input conditions or at a designedtime of each client, and activates the accessory tool like DigitalAvatar on client's PC display, and makes the accessory play or show someactions or display some message in order to tell the client new data,information or any message from the WEB application. This inventionconsists of such an agent program working with integrated application onWEB server through HTTP protocol.

The second invention is characterized by the above mentioned agentprogram which is always accessible to the WEB server through HTTPcommunication program even while each client does not open internetbrowser.

The third invention is characterized by the agent program which isaccessible to CGI program such as word-processors, presentationsoftware, database software, communication forms, group ware,audio-servers, general applications, mail-data, schedule managementdata, message-boards and spread-sheets.

The fourth invention is the agent program and agent accessory tool whichcan function as “Internet (Intranet) WEB stereo” or “Internet (Intranet)WEB TV” which can pick music and/or pictures from WEB server by HTTPprotocol communication method, and broadcast it to clients withoutbooting WEB browser, although this internet broadcast was possible onlyon browser before in case the audio video server is CGI program.

The fifth invention is the agent accessory tool composed to be able tosecurely restrict accesses to the CGI program by passwords and Client IDor Group ID issued or allotted to each client or group.

The sixth invention is the agent accessory tool composed to be able toproduce a copy of the accessory or avatar (digital actor), and allow thecopy of the avatar or accessory to be included in designated client's PCagent program through WEB server, and show the copy on the display ofthe client's PC.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: Rough Block Chart regarding the system of this invention

FIG. 2: Block Chart explaining the move of the avatar as the agent ofthis invention

THE BEST MODE CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The following is the explanation and working example on this invention.

FIG. 1 is the outline chart concerning this invention. 1 _(l)-1 _(n) iseach client's Personal Computer (called herewith PC). Each PC1 includeshttp communication program 2, the agent program 4 which displays theavatar (Digital actor) 3 on the display and communicates with client byvoice or image in accordance with a defined rule, and WWW browser soft5, Mail soft 6, and general application program 7.

Each Client's PC is connected with WEB server 8 through public telephoneline, special line etc. The WEB server 8 include the http communicationprogram 9 and several application input/output format 10 ₁-10 _(-n)written in HTML language. These applications are such as “WEB Mail”,“WEB Scheduler”, “WEB Spread Sheet”, “WEB Word processor”, “WEBPresentation”, “WEB Communication Form”, “WEB Groupware”, “WEB typegeneral application”, “WEB Audio/Video Server”, and “Agent CommunicationChat Server”.

Each application input/output format 10 ₁-10 _(n) is connected with theClient Administrative Database server 12 and Database server 14 and Mailserver 16 through CGI (Common Gateway Interface) 11 ₁-11 _(n).

The Agent Program 4 embedded in each client PCl_(i) is composed to beable to define, by client manual input work, the interval time (howmany/every minute) to go and check the WEB application such as the Mailserver 16, and also the interval time (how many/every hour) to go andcheck the WEB scheduled program. It is also composed to be able todefine the agent's behavior and the way to inform the client incorresponding with several event occurred at WEB application, and definehow the agent reacts on the content of the message. Therefore, the agentprogram can automatically and regularly check the WEB application andautomatically inform the client of events at the WEB application andbehave in accordance with the instruction from the WEB server.

Each Agent Program 4 has a function to enable client' PC1 _(i) to sendand receive the copy 3′ of the avatar 3 through the WEB mail server, anddisplay the copy 3′ of the mail sender on the receivers PC1 _(i).

Each agent program closely, deeply and profoundly cooperates with otherWEB applications on WEB server and shows some message or behaves inaccordance with a rule defined in the agent program.

The Client Administrative Database 12 is made for management andverification of the access right to the Database server 14. ThisDatabase 12 judges the access right of each client to each requestedapplication program of the Database Server 14 by collating with theClient ID data 22 and Group ID data 24 included in the database and theVerification Gateway 20 connected through the CGI 11 and informs the WEBserver of its judgement. As the result of this work, the access to theapplication program is rejected if the client is not verified.

The FIG. 2 shows the outline of the Chat server for agent communication.The Web server 8 and each client PC1 are connected with Internet orIntranet through HTTP protocol. WEB Mail 10 ₁ on WEB server 8 and WEBapplication 10 ₂-10 _(n) and Agent Communication Chat Server 26 arecomposed to be able to work together. For example, when the client sendsits copy of avatar 3 (Digital Actor) to some other client PC_(n) withits mail through WEB mail, the Mail Server stores the Client 1 _(i)'smessage, and the copy 3 of the avatar 3 ₁ (Digital Actor) is stored inthe Chat Database in the Database Server 14.

Then, when the client in runs the agent program 4 and accesses to theWEB server 8 to check Web mail, the sender's avatar 3, (Digital Actor)with new mail is stored in the Agent application program 4 through HTTPcommunication program 2. And the Avatar (Digital Actor) 3, appears onthe receiver's display and informs the client of mail arrival by theagent program 4 stored in the client PC1 _(n) whether or not the clientruns browser soft 5. When the client run the Mail soft 6 or Browser soft5 to check the new mail, the avatar 3, (Digital Actor) disappears fromthe display.

Furthermore, in this invention of the system, the agent software canactivate together with instruction of application software in the WEBserver because ordinary popular application softwares (word-processor,mailer software, data-base software) are not installed in the client'sPC and each application softwares are made in the form of HTML formatsuch as CGI programs for WEB type.

The Agent Program 4 includes not only Audio Chat software but alsoPlayer Software such as Real Audio Player or Real Video Player. As faras the client's PC1 _(i) is connected with Web server 8, the AgentProgram can emit music or video without running browser software 5, justby accessing to the audio or video database in the WEB server 8 throughHTTP communication program 2. Besides, the Agent Program canautomatically and regularly go to check WEB server and broadcast musicand motion picture in accordance with set-up of the Agent Program.

Though above execution example just refers the case in which each clientis always connected with Internet or Intranet, this invention is notlimited to such case. It is needless to say, in case of Internet, thecommunication program of the Agent Program can be programmed a dialerwhich can work with TCP/IP and composed to automatically dial up andaccess to the WEB server 8 at regular intervals.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As mentioned above, although existing Agent Programs mutuallycommunicate with WEB server only when mail software or browser softwareare activated, this agent accessory program of this inventionautomatically accesses to WEB server by HTTP protocol, and cooperateswith several WEB application software, and informs each client of eventor instruction of the application program, and informs arrivals of mailsor schedule or any other message from WEB server by the accessoryemitting voices, sounds or some signal, moving on the screen. That iswhy client can easily promptly and automatically know message from WEBapplication such as mail arrival or schedule confirmation or any othermessages from WEB application.

Though, in the case of existing Agent Programs, clients could not knowthe situation or instruction of WEB server application until theyactivate browser software and request to the WEB server, this inventionmakes it possible to tell clients any message or any instruction fromWEB application on WEB server without opening or activating browser,because of the reaction and behavior of the agent HTTP protocol.

Besides, in this invention, avatars (Copy of Digital actor) can be sentfrom mail senders to receivers, and can move on the receivers' PCdisplays. Thus communication between both clients become more close andfriendly.

Furthermore, in this invention, it is possible to activate severalapplication programs on WEB server through CGI interface, and input dataor word processor command or data command in designated formats byconfirming rule or response on each client's display, and printout usingclients' printers, and store data in the database on WEB server.Therefore, each client can use applications or data of WEB serverswithout storing such application programs or database programs in eachclient's PC. This can make memory size of each clients' PC or quantityof operation software embedded in each client terminal reduce.

1. An agent accessory tool communicating through HTTP with webserver-integrated applications to keep a client informed of changes insaid applications, comprising: an agent program embedded in a clientcomputer and using HTTP, said client computer having at least onegeneral application stored therein; a web server having HTTPcommunication software connected to said client computer and a commongateway interface to execute an external web application; said agentprogram accessing data of a CGI program through said web server andinterlocking with said external web application according to a ruledefined in said agent program so that said agent program regularly andautomatically accesses external web application data through said commongateway interface using HTTP and, in response to a change in saidexternal web application, self-activating a display function on saidclient computer to notify said client of said change without browsersoftware activation, said display function including a plurality ofdisplay formats defined by said embedded agent program according to datatype, at least one of said display formats being produced by saidgeneral application in response to activation thereof by said agentprogram.
 2. The agent accessory tool as set forth in claim 1, whereinsaid agent program is always accessible to said web server through saidHTTP communication software independent of activation of any browsersoftware on said client computer.
 3. The agent accessory tool as setforth in claim 1, wherein an interval time at which said agent programrepeatedly accesses said external web application data for changes isdefinable by client input.
 4. The agent accessory tool as set forth inclaim 3, wherein said agent program continues to access said externalweb application data in accordance with said interval time withoutactivating browser software on said client computer.
 5. The agentaccessory tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein said external webapplication includes at least one of a word processor, presentationsoftware, spreadsheet software and database software.
 6. The agentaccessory tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein said external webapplication includes at least one of communication forms, groupware, anaudio server and schedule management data.
 7. The agent accessory toolas set forth in claim 1, wherein said external web application includesat least one of mail data and message boards.
 8. The agent accessorytool as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a password to securelyrestrict access to said external web application through said commongateway interface.
 9. The agent accessory tool as set forth in claim 1,wherein said external web application includes an audio server and saidagent program activates an audio player general application stored onsaid client computer to broadcast audio from said server to said clientcomputer without browser activation.
 10. The agent accessory tool as setforth in claim 1, wherein said external web application includes a videoserver and said agent program activates a video player generalapplication stored on said client computer to broadcast video from saidserver to said client computer without browser activation.
 11. The agentaccessory tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein said display formatsinclude presentation of a text message, presentation of a video message,movement of a corresponding avatar, and generation of a sound.
 12. Theagent accessory tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein said clientcomputer includes a plurality of general applications stored thereon andrunning on a desktop area outside a browser area in said clientcomputer, said agent program activating said plurality of generalapplications which work organically, interactively and closely togetherwith the external web application on the server through functioning ofsaid agent accessory tool.
 13. The agent accessory tool as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said client computer includes a plurality of generalapplications stored thereon and running on a desktop area outside abrowser area in said client computer, said agent program operating saidplurality of general applications in accordance with input received fromthe external web application on the web server.
 14. The agent accessorytool as set forth in claim 13, wherein said agent program functions tosend to the external web application, on a periodic or regularlyscheduled basis, a result from the operating of at least one of saidgeneral applications in response to a message, command or data input bysaid client.
 15. The agent accessory tool as set forth in claim 1,wherein each of said client personal computers includes a memory forstoring general application programs and data from said external webapplication, storage of said data allowing a user continuing access tosaid data when said client personal computer is not in communicationwith said web server.
 16. An agent accessory tool communicating throughHTTP with a web server to monitor a status of a web-integratedapplication, comprising: a web server having HTTP communication softwareand a common gateway interface to execute an external web application; aclient computer connected to said web server and having at least onegeneral application stored thereon; and an agent program embedded insaid client computer and using HTTP to regularly and automaticallyaccess a status of said external web application through said commongateway interface with no browser software activation, said agentprogram, upon detecting a change in said status, self-activating adisplay function on the client computer to notify a user of said clientcomputer of the change without browser software activation, said displayfunction including a plurality of display formats defined by saidembedded agent program; said agent program activating and operating saidat least one general application on the client computer to perform saiddisplay function.
 17. The agent accessory tool as set forth in claim 16,wherein said external web application includes music and/or pictures andsaid agent program activates an audio and/or video player, respectively,to broadcast said music and/or pictures to said client computer withoutbrowser activation.
 18. The agent accessory tool as set forth in claim16, wherein an interval time at which said agent program repeatedlyaccesses said external web application data is definable by clientinput.
 19. The agent accessory tool as set forth in claim 16, whereinsaid external web application includes at least one of a word processor,presentation software, spreadsheet software and database software. 20.The agent accessory tool as set forth in claim 16, wherein said externalweb application includes at least one of communication forms, groupware,an audio server and schedule management data.
 21. The agent accessorytool as set forth in claim 16, wherein said external web applicationincludes at least one of mail data and message boards.
 22. The agentaccessory tool as set forth in claim 16, wherein said client computerincludes a plurality of general applications stored thereon and runningon a desktop area outside a browser area in said client computer, saidagent program activating said plurality of general applications whichwork organically, interactively and closely together with the externalweb application on the server through functioning of said agentaccessory tool.
 23. The agent accessory tool as set forth in claim 16,wherein said client computer includes a plurality of generalapplications stored thereon and running on a desktop area outside abrowser area in said client computer, said agent program operating saidplurality of general applications in accordance with input received fromthe external web application on the web server.
 24. The agent accessorytool as set forth in claim 23, wherein said agent program functions tosend to the external web application, on a periodic or regularlyscheduled basis, a result from the operating of at least one of saidgeneral applications in response to a message, command or data input bysaid client.
 25. The agent accessory tool as set forth in claim 15,wherein said general application program has a function enabling a userto input data manually to the memory for storage therein and to transmitsaid data from the client personal computer to an interlocked webapplication on the web server.
 26. The agent accessory tool as set forthin claim 25, wherein said function of enabling the user to input data isactive when the client personal computer is not connected to the webserver.
 27. The agent accessory tool as set forth in claim 26, wherein,upon connection of said client personal computer to said web server, thestored data is transmitted to the interlocked web application on the webserver.
 28. The agent accessory tool as set forth in claim 16, whereineach of said client personal computers includes a memory for storinggeneral application programs and data from said external webapplication, storage of said data allowing a user continuing access tosaid data when said client personal computer is not in communicationwith said web server.
 29. The agent accessory tool as set forth in claim28, wherein said general application program has a function enabling auser to input data manually to the memory for storage therein and totransmit said data from the client personal computer to an interlockedweb application on the web server.
 30. The agent accessory tool as setforth in claim 29, wherein said function of enabling the user to inputdata is active when the client personal computer is not connected to theweb server.
 31. The agent accessory tool as set forth in claim 30,wherein, upon connection of said client personal computer to said webserver, the stored data is transmitted to the interlocked webapplication on the web server.